Once a year, most adults go to a physician for a physical check-up. Whether we like it or not, the check-up generally affirms what we already know to be true. The annual report tells us that aren’t exercising enough, we need to lay off of the sweets, and that “diet” is a four-letter word that won’t get our mouths washed out with soap by our mother. Each year, we pay a lot of money to hear a physician tell us what we already know to be true and the prescription needed to get to where we need to be, right?
Allow me for a couple of minutes to be Dr. Billy and share an up-to-date check-up report about today’s church as presented by two highly respected leaders.
Dr. A.W. Tozer (noted Pastor, preacher, and author) – “If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference.”
C.T. Studd (missionary to China, India, and Africa) – “How little chance the Holy Ghost has nowadays. The churches and missionary societies have so bound Him in red tape that they practically ask Him to sit in a corner while they do the work themselves.”
To be honest, these assessments weren’t written in the past few months. In fact, both of these men lived many, many years ago. And yet, their assessment of today’s church is still so accurate. Sadly, just like our annual physical report, we are hearing what we already know to be true. Much of what is done in the church is done without the anointing and presence of the Holy Spirit. We know that this is true!
The reason that I am writing this is to challenge you to assess what is going on in your ministry. Be honest. You already know the answer. Is the Holy Spirit’s presence readily seen in your ministry? Is He allowed to move about as He desires or is He bound up in the red tape? Upon answering these questions, you already know what needs to be done. Come on. Start making the necessary changes to get the ministry where you know it should be.
Selah …
